Czech news in brief for July 9: Wednesday's top headlines

The Czech government is reviewing a list of domestic companies Ukraine says may be violating anti-Russian sanctions, the Industry Ministry confirmed Tuesday. Authorities are analyzing the claims but have not named the firms. In response, Czech officials are pushing for stricter controls on exports through third countries in the upcoming EU sanctions. Ukraine’s president alleged that Czech and German firms were aiding Russian arms production.

The European Commission’s annual rule of law report notes progress in Czech judges’ pay and court digitalization but highlights ongoing issues with high-level corruption investigations and media transparency. Slovakia and Hungary face criticism for corruption, media control, and judiciary independence. The report urges reforms to strengthen judicial efficiency, media pluralism, and anti-corruption efforts across these EU member states.

In Berlin, Czech President Petr Pavel and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized the importance of remembering World War II’s horrors to educate new generations. Speaking at an event honoring winners of the Czech-German “Never Again!” competition, they highlighted reconciliation and warned against forgetting history’s lessons. The event marked the war’s 80th anniversary and included discussions on European security and cooperation.

Northern Moravia and Silesia received only half the forecasted rainfall, prompting Environment Minister Petr Hladík to lift the flood warning on rivers. Despite ongoing showers and storms through the week, officials say the precipitation won’t cause floods. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reported the heaviest rain in the Beskydy and Jeseníky Mountains, but river levels remain below flood stage.

A cyberattack last week at Nymburk Hospital may have compromised patients' personal data, the hospital announced Tuesday. Systems were shut down, briefly limiting emergency care and disabling e-prescriptions, MRI access, and the baby box. The attack involved ransomware. Authorities are investigating, but it's unclear if data was stolen. Patients have been warned of potential data misuse and confidentiality breaches. System restoration is ongoing with priority on patient care.

Prague hygienists have reported a sharp rise in hepatitis A cases, with 242 infections recorded through June—up from 37 in all of last year. About a third of cases involve homeless individuals, and 39 infections are in children. Health officials warn of ongoing spread and urge improved hygiene and vaccination. The viral disease, transmitted via contaminated hands or food, can cause severe illness in adults. Vaccination efforts are underway.

Officials warned that rivers in northeast Czechia are expected to rise overnight into Wednesday due to extreme rainfall, with the Olše basin facing third-stage flood risk. Up to 180 mm of rain could fall in Beskydy. Authorities urge caution, especially in Český Těšín, Třinec, and Jablunkov. The Central Flood Commission convened Tuesday, but the government says the situation is not comparable to last September’s devastating floods.

A metro train car derailed Monday while being towed into the Hostivař depot, damaging both the carriage and the entrance gate lining, Prague Public Transport Company said. The fourth car's front bogie left the track, causing an estimated CZK 5 million in damage. No injuries were reported. The incident, captured on security footage, is under investigation and has not affected regular service on Metro Line A.

Czech statisticians will revisit 9,500 households this year to repeat a European health survey that in 2019 showed nearly 60 percebnt of Czechs were overweight. That survey also found most with high cholesterol or blood pressure were unaware. This year’s round will add kidney and lipoprotein monitoring. The Czech Statistical Office stressed privacy safeguards, saying all collected data is anonymized and protected under national law.

Police have dropped the case of a 2024 cornice collapse that killed a man at a Prague tram stop. Investigators found the collapse was due to substandard materials used in 1899, not negligence by the current owner. No charges will be filed. The deceased, a Ukrainian surgeon, died instantly. The building was properly maintained and renovated before the accident, and experts say the defect could not have been foreseen.

Pilgrimage tourism is gaining popularity in Czechia, with interest in the Czech Trail up 25% year-on-year and a 10 percent rise in hikers along the Blaník–Říp route. A new St. Ludmila trail opened this year, though some sections lack infrastructure. Officials, including Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný, pledged pilot support, with plans for the Forests of the Czech Republic to build shelters along the routes.